WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined 11 of her Senate Republican colleagues to introduce a resolution – led by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) – to designate October 4, 2023, as National Energy Appreciation Day to celebrate the men and women who work to power the United States.
“West Virginia is a proud energy-producing state, and our workforce in that field has long contributed to our culture and traditions. Their work to bolster American energy does far more than just keeping the lights on – it strengthens our national security and improves the lives of our people, country, and world. I’m proud to join my colleagues to establish National Energy Appreciation Day and will continue to support an all-of-the-above American energy future,” Senator Capito said.
In addition to Senators Capito and Lummis, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Dan Sullivan (R-Ark.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)
BACKGROUND:
American energy plays an integral role in keeping energy affordable, reliable and efficient while also supporting economic growth and creating upward mobility. Not only have domestic energy advancements greatly reduced emissions, but widespread access to energy has more than doubled life expectancy and reduced the percentage of people living in poverty to less than 10%.
The American energy industry accounts for more than seven million jobs and ultimately supports more than ten million jobs across the United States.
Federal oil and natural gas leases for offshore development brought in more than $22 billion for the federal government in 2022, and the U.S. oil and natural gas industry generates nearly $1.8 billion in gross domestic product annually.
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